ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippine Navy rescued 175 passengers and crew members from a ferry off the southern province of Sulu after its engine malfunctioned.
Rear Admiral Donn Anthony Miraflor, commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao, confirmed this report on Monday, saying the patrol boats located M/V Queen Shaima approximately 2.55 nautical miles northwest of East Bolod Island after it developed engine trouble over the weekend.
“The Naval Forces Western Mindanao, through its Naval Task Force-61's BRP Florencio Iñigo (PC393), successfully rescued 175 passengers and crew members from a distressed vessel in the seawaters off Sulu province,” he said. “The vessel was carrying a total of 175 passengers and crew members when it encountered engine trouble while underway.”
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| Philippine Navy photos show the rescue of 175 people and crew members from a ferry M/M Queen Shaima off Sulu province. |
Miraflor did not say whether the ferry originated from Zamboanga on its way to Sulu or if it was heading here.
He said a total of 80 passengers were transferred from M/V Queen Shaima to BRP Florencio Iñigo while the remaining 95 passengers remained on the vessel. They were later transferred to the landing craft BRP Ivatan and brought to the naval base here.
Miraflor commended all the personnel involved in the rescue operations for their quick response. “The Naval Forces Western Mindanao is fully prepared to provide assistance and support to vessels in distress while conducting its missions and maritime patrols in support to the Western Mindanao Command’s mission,” he said.
On January 13, 2021, the navy also rescued 14 passengers and four crewmen from a ferry named Queen Shaima after damaging its hull off Basilan province. The ferry was heading to Sulu from Zamboanga when it suffered a hull breach, causing water to leak into the engine room. It was not immediately known whether it was the same vessel. (Mindanao Examiner)
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